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Somerset Hills YMCA will host the 11th annual swim fundraiser from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, to support Saturdays in Motion.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Somerset County & Plainfield YMCA)

11th Annual Swim Fundraiser

Somerset Hills YMCA, a branch of Somerset County and Plainfield YMCA, will host the 11th annual swim fundraiser from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13 to support Saturdays in Motion, a free recreational program for children on the autism spectrum and their families. The fundraiser will be held at Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mount Airy Road in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards, and is open to the community with a suggested minimum donation of $25. Those unable to attend can help support the program by making a donation or sponsoring a Saturdays in Motion t-shirt. During the fundraiser, the pool will be available for both racing and casual swimming. Other activities include food and live music. Athletes from local colleges will be in attendance to offer tips to younger swimmers. For more information on how to support Saturdays in Motion, visit www.somersetcountyymca.org.

Bateman resolution signed

Sen. Kip Bateman’s resolution designating Oct. 8 as Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day in New Jersey was signed into law on Tuesday, Oct. 8. “The annual observance will help promote these clean, safe and virtually limitless sources of energy,” said Bateman, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Environment and Energy committee, in a news release. “It’s an opportunity for stakeholders from science, industry, government and academia to espouse the benefits of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. These advances are ready and available now for applications ranging from powering vehicles to delivering electricity to residences and businesses.” Visit http://bit.ly/2VtTqnO.

Call for more road safety on Valley Road

In response to a tragic accident involving a young boy and hit-and-run motorist on Valley Road last evening, Watchung Borough candidate Amber Murad and Councilman George Sopko today called on County Officials to immediately upgrade safety along the heavily-traveled route. Freeholder Director Levine responded, agreeing to take immediate action. “The county should immediate erect signs along Valley Road to warning motorists that children are present in the area,” said Sopko, who is also running for council. “That can be done this afternoon.”

“The speed limit should be lowered, designated cross walks established and explore options for additional sidewalks,” added Murad. “They may not be able to do that today, but there is no reason for undue delay in protecting the children who must cross this road to reach the Bayberry School Park and Playground.”

Wellspring Center for Prevention will be celebrating the 2019 National Recovery Month by dedicating its “Tree of Hope” to The Middlesex Superior Court’s County Drug Court program. ~Courtesy of Wellspring Center for Prevention

Roger Shaffer, Manager of Field Operations for New Jersey American Water, was proud to present a check for $1,000 to Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department. The department was one one of 21 volunteer fire departments and emergency responders located throughout the State chosen as a winner of grant funds through New Jersey American Water’s 9th Annual First Responder Grant Program. ~Courtesy of New Jersey American Water

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8th Annual Poster and Video Contest

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health, recently announced the launch of the 8th annual Protect Me With 3+ poster and video contest. The contest challenges New Jersey youth in middle and high school to raise awareness about the importance of adolescent immunizations: tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) and flu vaccines. Last year, the contest received more than 300 total entries from students across New Jersey. Middle school and high school students can participate in the contest by submitting a hand-drawn poster or an original computer-generated poster that integrates key facts about one of the adolescent vaccines listed above. This year, both middle school and high school students have the option to submit a video up to 30 seconds long in the place of a poster. The submission deadline is Jan. 26, 2020. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries in the video and poster categories, and the winning entries will be showcased during various statewide immunization awareness activities. Additionally, students who submit entries by Jan. 1, 2020 will be entered into random drawings to win prizes courtesy of Protect Me With 3+ event sponsors. For more information about Protect Me With 3+ sponsorship opportunities, visit www.protectmewith3.com/sponsors. The top five finalists in each of the three categories will be posted on www.protectmewith3.com for public voting in March. The winners will then be announced and honored at an awards ceremony in April.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced the 2019 Union County Library Grant awards for 20 public libraries in Union County.(Photo: ~Courtesy of County of Union)

Grants announced to support children's programming

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced the 2019 Union County Library Grant awards for 20 public libraries in Union County. The grants are designed to assist public libraries with funding that enriches and supports children’s programming. The awards will help cover the cost of STEAM and STEM programs as well as arts enrichment, new books and computer equipment, SAT prep and more. Among the public libraries and the amount awarded are: Berkeley Heights, $5,000; Clark, $5,000; Cranford, $5,000; Fanwood, $5,000; Linden, $5,000; Mountainside, $5,000; New Providence, $5,000; Plainfield, $4,800; Rahway, $4,995; Scotch Plains, $5,208.40; Summit, $5,000; Union, $5,000; and Westfield, $5,000. The Library Grant program amount this year totaled $99,937.80. The 2019 Library Grants are funded by the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund. For more information about the 2019 Union County Library Grant awards contact the Office of Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund at 908-558-2277. Visit ucnj.org.

Celebrating school's 50th anniversary

Celebrate Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School's 50th Anniversary Celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the school, 601 Ernston Road in the Parlin section of Sayreville. It will be an evening celebrating Eisenhower's history. RSVP via email to eisenhower50th@sayrevillek12.net.

Humana announces New Jersey expansion

Health and well-being company Humana Inc. is expanding health plan choices for Medicare beneficiaries in New Jersey by more than doubling the number of counties in which Humana Medicare Advantage plans are offered in the state. The company also is introducing an HMO plan in New Jersey for the first time. For the first time, residents of seven New Jersey counties — Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties in Northern New Jersey; and Cumberland, Mercer, and Salem counties in Southern New Jersey — can select a Humana Choice Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Medicare Advantage plan during this year’s Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period, or AEP. The AEP runs from Tuesday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, for plan coverage taking effect Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. New Jerseyans seeking more information about enrolling in Humana plans can visit www.Humana.com/Medicare or speak with one of Humana’s licensed sales agents by calling 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

On Monday, Sept. 23, members of the Silver Linings at Old Bridge senior center presented more than 50 handmade shawls to residents of the Reformed Church Home.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Old Bridge Public Library)

Group presents handmade shawls

Members of the Silver Linings at Old Bridge senior center presented more than 50 handmade shawls to residents of the Reformed Church Home during a special ceremony attended by Mayor Owen Henry on Monday, Sept. 23. Matt Mercurio, director of Parks and Recreation, and Anahita Feltz, Silver Linings manager, also participated in the event, which was held in conjunction with an ice cream social sponsored by Silver Linings. The shawls were crocheted by members of Silver Linings as an outreach initiative in recognition of September’s National Senior Center Month. Visit www.oldbridge.com.

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